Abstract
BackgroundThis study assessed the prevalence and severity of early childhood caries (ECC) and identified socioeconomic and behavioral correlates of the disease in preschool children living in Xinjiang.MethodsFor this cross-sectional survey, 1727 children aged 3–5 years in Xinjiang were randomly recruited using a three-stage cluster sampling procedure. The “dmft” index according to the WHO 1997 criteria was used to assess ECC and severe ECC (S-ECC). A questionnaire was completed by caregivers. Variables included sociodemographic characteristics, dietary and oral hygiene behaviors, and access to dental services. The statistical associations of variables with ECC, S-ECC, and dmft were evaluated by univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe prevalence of ECC was 78.2% and that of S-ECC was 41.2%; mean dmft scores were 5.61 ± 3.56 and 8.17 ± 2.94, respectively. The prevalence of ECC was significantly higher in children from Ining (OR 2.747; 95% CI 2.033–3.713), those whose caregivers had caries (OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.245–2.547), those with a dental visit in the past (OR 2.023; 95% CI 1.429–2.865), and those whose parents had received instructions on oral health care (OR 2.171; 95% CI 1.44–3.272), and increased significantly at age 4 years (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.506–2.901) and 5 years (OR 2.666; 95% CI 1.855–3.833) and in children who starting tooth brushing at a young age (OR 1.363; 95% CI 1.171–1.587), and decreased significantly in children with a more educated mother (OR 0.817; 95% CI 0.688–1), those from high-income families (OR 0.667; 95% CI 0.582–0.765), those with low consumption of sweets (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.57–0.763), and those who seldom ate before sleep (OR 0.557; 95% CI 0.437–0.712).ConclusionsECC and S-ECC remain a serious problem among preschool children in Xinjiang. Caries rates were associated with sociodemographic and behavioral factors, which could be modified by public health strategies, including protection of primary dentition, extension of insurance to cover oral preventive services, improvement of the oral health care system, and public health education.
Highlights
This study assessed the prevalence and severity of early childhood caries (ECC) and identified socioeconomic and behavioral correlates of the disease in preschool children living in Xinjiang
The results showed that the prevalence of ECC was significantly higher in children from Ining, children whose caregivers had caries, those with a dental visit in the past, and those whose parents had received oral health care instruction
The prevalence of severe ECC (S-ECC) was significantly decreased in children from high-income families, those with a low frequency of sweets consumption, and those who seldom ate before sleep, but no significant association was found with region, the child’s age, the mother’s education level, or when the child starting tooth brushing (Table 3)
Summary
This study assessed the prevalence and severity of early childhood caries (ECC) and identified socioeconomic and behavioral correlates of the disease in preschool children living in Xinjiang. Childhood caries (ECC) remains a major public health problem in preschool children, especially in developing countries, in view of its early onset and high prevalence, as well as the high likelihood of nontreatment [1,2,3,4]. ECC impacts on quality of life, increases the risk of caries in the permanent dentition, and promotes inequalities in oral health [5, 6]. The consequences of untreated severe ECC (S-ECC) in young children are more serious than those of caries that develop in adulthood [7]. An effective oral health promotion strategy must be based on understanding and assessment of societal and behavioral factors potentially affecting oral health at the population level
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